Motion-picture-projector apparatus



June 30, 1925.

E. K. WILLARD MOTION PICTURE PROJECTOR APPARATUS Filed Feb 2, 1923 4 Sheets-Sheet l /Nl/ENTOR-' ATTO/Q/VE) June 30, 1925.

E. K. WILLARD- MOTION PICTURE PROJECTOR APPARATUS Filed Feb, 2, 1925 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 /Nl ENTOR.' 4 4? %7 A T TORNEY June 30, 1925. 1,543,892

. E. K. WILLARD MOTION PICTURE PROJECTOR APPARATUS Filed Feb. 2, 1923 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 ATTO RA/EY June 30, 1925. 1,543,892

E. K. WILLARD MOTION PICTURE PROJECTOR APPARATUS Filed Feb 2, 1923 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 ATTORNEY Patented June 30, 1925'.

UNITED STATES ,YPATENT orr ca.

EUGENE xn'm wlnnannjor nosrron, massacnusmr'rs.

' monox-rxc'roaernoamc'ron. arrm'ros.

Application filed February 2, 192a. Serial no. 616,607.

To all whom it mayconoem: I

Be it known that I, EUGENE Kmo W1L-. LARD, a citizen of the United States, residing at Boston, in the cgunty of Suffolk and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements ,in Motion-Picture-Projector Apparatus, of which the following isa specification. v

The invention to be hereinafter described relates to motion picture apparatus, and

,more particularly to such apparatus adapt- It is desirable that; theprojectors"shall' throw the same pictures or images on the three screens. A purpose of the present in-' vention, therefore, is to provide means forfeeding the same film progressively through the three, projectors.

Each projector is provld'edcwith anelectric motor for driving the'mechanlsm for feeding the film therethrough, and, therei fore, the film is fed at three different driving points. These electric motors necessarily are susceptible of I speed variation tendencies, even though regulated with-the intention of producing'the same speed of rotation, Differences in the speeds of the motors vwould necessarily subject the film to strains which would be liable to tear .or otherwise injure the film and prevent proper feed thereof toward the gates of the projectors. Another purpose ofthe presentinvention, therefore, is to provide means for equalizing the speed of feed of the filmat the three driving points, so that the film will be fed properly through the projectors and without injury thereto.

The three projectors, in the present instance of the invention, are disposed sideby-side. The central projector is adapted to throw images on the rear screen, andthe side rojectors are adapted to throw images on t e side screens. The distance of the rear screen from the central projector is necessarily greater than the distance of the side screens from the side projectors, owing to the oblon sha e of the vehicle body.. Therefore, it 1s desirable to extend the path of" light between the side projectors and their screens, in order that the images thrown on the three screens may be of substantially the same size. Another purpose of. the' invention, therefore, is to dispose the side projectors at an. angle with respect to each'other, and to provide reflectors for reflecting the images to the side screens. vThe pictures or images thrown on the screens are viewed by observers externally of the truck body. Therefore, the pictures or images thrown on the rear screen appear reversed. I For example, reading .matter would appear so as'to read from right to left, insteadof from left to right as would .be the case if the screen were viewed byan observer withinthe truck body. Tocom- I pensate for this and cause the images to appear properly from the exterior of thebody, the film fed through the central projector is reversed edge-for-edge in respect to the usual method.'

To cause the images "on the side screens to appear'rproperly fromv the exterior of the body, the T film is fed through the projectors in the usual manner, but the images are corrected by the reflectors which reverse the images. Since the same film passes progressively through the three projectors, but its position edge-for-edge in the central projctor is reversed. in respect'to its position in the side projectors, suitable means is provided to reverse the film as it passes from one side projector to the central projector and again-to reversethe film as it passes from the central projector to the other side projector.

With the aforesaid" and other purposesin view, the character ofthe invention may be bestunderstood by reference to the following description of one good form thereof shown in the accompanying drawings,

wherein:

Fig. '1 isa side-elevation of a motor truck having a body equipped with motion picture projector apparatus embodying the invention: I

Fig. 2 is a perspective View of theappara tus as it appears when looking from the front toward the rear end of the body;

Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic plan showing the relation of the projectors, reflectors and screens;

Fig. 4.,on an enlarged, scale is a side elevation of one of the projectors; and

Fig. 5 is a sideelevation of the driving train of gears in one of theprojectors.

Referring tothe drawings, and more particularly to Fig. 1, a motor truck is shown therein provided with a body 1 spec ally constructed for motion picture urposes. This body has on each side thereo apanel 3 provided with a screen 5 of ground glass or other suitable material. At opposite sides of the screen 5 are panels 7 adapted for displaying illuminated pictures or other advertising matter, said panels being (16811111)? of the construction disclosed in my copen ing application Serial N 0. 625,907 filed March 17, 1923, but since these panels form no part of the present invention, it is unnecessary to show and describe the same in detail herein. At the rear end of the truck is a panel 9 (Fig. 2),having a screen 11 mounted therein ofground glass or other suitable material.

Mounted within the truck adjacent the front end thereof is a'table 13 extending the width of the truck and mounted on tracks 15 enabling adjustment of the table longitudinally of the truck body if desired. I

Mounted on the table are three motion picture projectors including side projectors 17 and 19, and a projector 21 intermediate the side projectors. The side projectors \are disposed at an angle to each other, and throw their light streams in crossing relation to project images on the side screens 5. The intermediate projector throws its light stream directly to and projects its image on the rear end screen 11.

The distance from the central projector to the rear end screen isgreater than the dis- Y tance from the side projectors to the side screens, owing to the oblong shape of the body. Therefore, it is desirable to reflect the images from the side projectors to the side screens, in order that the images appearing on. the three screens may be of substantially the same size. In the present instance of the invention, the side projector 17 throws its images on a reflector 23 mounted at the side of the truck remote from the projector, said reflector being in a position properly to reflect the images to the side screen opposite thereto. The projector 19 throws its images on a reflector 25 mounted at the side of the truck remote from the G projector, said reflector being in a position properly to reflect the im to the side screen opposite thereto. e construction is such that the length of the light paths between the three projectors and their screens may be substantially the same.

Each of the projectors comprises a base 27 (Figs. 2 and 4'), on which is mounted an upright 29 carrying the usual lamp house 31, gate 33, focusing tube 35 and rotary apertured shutter 37.

Rising from. the u right 29 is an arm 39 supporting the let-0E reel 41 carrying the film 43. The film passes ddwnwardly over an idler wheel 45 about a sprocket wheel 47 having teeth adapted to project through holes in a margin in the film, thereby posi'; tively to feed the same. The film passes thence in the form of a free 1001) down through the gate, 33, and about a sprocket wheel 51 having teeth adwted to project into the mar inal holes of the film, said sprocket wheel being driven step-by-step by means to be described. The film pases thence in the form of a free loop 53 about a. sprocket wheel 55 having teethadapted to project through the marginal holes in the lm The film passes thence about an idler wheel 57, and thence out from the rojector.

To feed the film through the pro ector, an electric motor 59 is provided having a shaft 61 on which is mounted a pulley 63 connected by a belt 65 with a fly wheel pulley 67 on a shaft 69. Fast on the shaft 69 (Fig. 5) is a gear 71 meshing with a larger gear 73 fast on a shaft 75. Also fast on said shaft is a pinion 77 meshing with a gear 79 on a shaft 80. The gear 79 meshes with a pinion 81 for driving a gear 83 fast'on the shaft carrying the sprocket wheel 47 referred to. The construction is such that the sprocket wheel 47 is continuously rotated to positively draw the film from the let-ofl' reel 41.

To rotate the sprocket wheel 51 step-bystep to draw the lm through the gate 33, a wheel 85 is mounted fast on the motor driven shaft 69, and has a pin 87 thereon cooperating with a Geneva gear 89 fast on the shaft carrying the sprocket wheel 51, A disk 91 on the shaft 69 has a recess 93 to admit the points of the Geneva gear during the turning of the latter by the pin 87, and the periphery of the wheel 91 fits with curved portions of the points of the Geneva gear to prevent rotation of the latter, excepting when turned steps by the pin 87.

To rotate the shutter 37 referred to, the

shaft 95 for the shutter, is provided with gear 85. The construction is such that the shutter is rotated to obstruct the stream of light issuing from the projector while the eneva gear is serving to advance the film a step through the gate.

The film is fed progressively through the pro ectors, in order that the same images may be thrown on the three screens. The film on leaving the projector 17 is guided about a roller 109 (Figs. 1 and 4) on a bracket 111 mounted on the table 13. ,The

the intermediate projector 21, and is guided over a roller 113 on a standardi115 mounted.

on the table 13. In the course of-ithetransit of the film from the guide roller 113 it lSJhlOVGl'SOd or twisted f rg termediate projector, "and. as it-emlerged' therefrom, it asses about a'guide roller. 121

on a bracket momedon the table. The film extends thence upwardly and obliquel; to a guide roller 125 on a standard 12 mounted on the table. The film in its transit from the guide roller 121- to the guide. roller '125, is reversed-or twisted edge-for-edge, T -m "over a i e roller129 on an. armj131'r'is'f from e'upright ofthe projector 19,-;-

usual let-off reel.

-Th e'fihn extendsfrbmthe roller-1295 downward" through the -projector and: is

woimd on a take-upreel 133' on a shaft 135 mounted on an arm" 137 mounted on the base of" the projector 19. The gear 103 're-' ferred' to for the projector 19, meshes with a "gear 139 (Fig. 5) on a shaft 141, and a uley 143 on sa d shaft is" connected b a it.

145;}Fig. 2) with a pulley 147 on i 135 or the take-up reel.

e shaft It will 'be noted that each of the projectors.

has its own electricmotor for driving the train of Igearing thereof, These motors are nece'ssar'y susceptible to speed variation tendencies, although regulated withthe intention of furnishin thesame speed of roj tation. Since the film is 'fedrprogre'ssively throu h the three projectors, it is necessary that t gear trains thereof shall be rotated s at the same speed, in order'that the film may not be subjected to undue strains or ruptured. Accordingly, means is provided to 'causedathese gear trains to feed the film at the same speed at the three projectors.

D This means, in the present instance of the invention, comprises an extension 149 of the shaft 80 referred to, of the ar train, said extension being connected y auniversal joint 151 to'one end of a connecting shaft 153, the opposite end of-said shaft being connected train of the central projector 21.

The shaft 80 of the central projector has joint 161' with one end of a connecting shaft 163, the opposite end of which is connected by a universal joint 165 with an extension 167 of the shaft 80 for the projector 19. a

l The construction is such that the driving ide roller 109tovthel' n the' three projectors without any lia e film extends from .the st'r'aining, rupturing or breaking the film.

ro er 113 over a ,ide roller 117 on-an arm rojector reversed or turnededge-for -ed e, and this and refererd to, having, teeth positioned sses from the guide roller 1'25,

- screens and reflectors is from the reflectors ma be morenearly normg images progressive thrown on t y a universal joint 155 with an ,p extension 157 with the shaft of .the gear spective of speed variation tendencies of the driving motors .for the individual 'a-r trains, and thus the film is properly If a;

i ity o In order that the pictures or images thrown on the rear screen may appear properly when viewed from the exterior of t e truck, .the film for the central projectoris inakes it, necessary to .fprovi e sprocket wheels such as the sprocketwheels 47, 51

to project into the marginalholes adjacent the lcftedge'of the film,- (Fi'g. .2).

The images from thefilm fed throu the side projectors, are reversed by the re ector correct theimages and cause the same b5 whic to appear properlyv onthe'side screens when viewed from the exterior thereof, For ex- 'vample, reading matterwill appear on the 7 guide roller 129 being substituted for thev .tions-Qwhen passing: through. the side prog jectors.

The general relation -of the projectors,

diagrammatically shown in Fig. 3, froi'nwhichit will be noted that the side scre'ens 5 are disposedmti-an an is with respect to the sides-ofthe truck bo y, in order that the light rays pausing mal to thescreens 5 t an'ifthe latter were parallel to the sides of thetruck body. consequence is that an .;substantial (118101: tion of the images t [on theside screens is By my invention, efiici'entmotion picture pro ector apparatus is provid d for t hrow:=

y on a plurality of screens. In the present instance, the images are thrown on three-screens, and may be vviewed ekteriorily'jof the in which the screens are mounted a a I When the "body is ;mounted on a truck which may see through the streets, matter 0. screen will reach man peole,--and thuswill serve very desirab y for advertisin purposes. r

While apparatus is shown herein as mounted on a Y motor vehicle, it will be im- 0 an extension 159 connected by a universal, derstood that it may be otherwisemounted theaters in irections, and intermediate 9 screen would be visible to persons standing opposite to the store.

It will be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific embodiment shown, and that various deviations may be made therefrom without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

hat is claimed is A 1. Apparatus of the character described comprising, in combination, a plurality of screens, projectors for throwing images on the screens respectively, each of said projectors having film feeding mechanism, means for guiding the film from projector to projector; shafts, and universal connecting the shafts with the feeding mechanism of the projectors for causing the latter tofeed the film at the projectors in synchronism.

2. Apparatus of the character described comprising, in combination, a plurality of screens, projectors for throwing images on joints- 1,548,893 or r the screens, each of said projectors having an electric motor, and means driven by the motor for feeding a film through the pro- 2 jector; means for guiding the film from-1 one projector to another, and means for causing the film feeding means to advance the film at the same speed irrespective of speed variation tendencies of said motors.

'8. Apparatus of the character described comprising, in combination, a pair of side, screens, an end screen, motion picture pro jectors including a pair of side projectors,

one for throwing an image on one of the 35 side screens and the other for throwing an image on the other side screen, a projector between the side projectors for throwing an image on the end screen; and means for feeding a filmprogressively through the projectors including an electric motor for each of the projectors and means for equalizing the speed of the motors.

EUGENE KING WILLARD. 

